Affordable housing is built for the long-term. But all too often, upfront construction costs drive decisions. It’s worth doing the numbers for whole-of-life cost on materials and construction systems, particularly those areas which will require maintenance, repair and replacement over time.  

Once considered a final layer: applied on-site, subject to variables, trades and delays, coatings are now increasingly embedded earlier in the supply chain, transforming how surfaces are specified, produced and installed.

A practical ceiling finish for hygiene-critical spaces, Fenta Ceiling Tiles combine a fibre-cement core with an ultra-hard UV-cured coating to create a smooth, impervious surface that cleans easily and stands up to routine use.

Plywood. Long known as a strong, cost-effective and highly versatile building material, its true potential for creating unique spaces is still often overlooked. Bates Surfaces’ prefinished PlyPlay is out to change that.

When it comes to setting the standard for commercial kitchens, food factories, bathrooms and laundries, it’s crucial for a ceiling to be moisture-resistant, washable, hygienic, durable, antimicrobial and fire-resistant.

Collaborating with designers and product manufacturers, Bates Surfaces produce custom results with UV coatings, resulting in durable architectural surfaces for commercial and residential interiors.

ArchiPro sat down with Andre Bates, CEO of Bates Surfaces, to discuss the ins and outs of UV coatings, the benefits and consequences of not using them, and the changes happening in the industry.

Around the turn of the century, Bates Surfaces began exploring UV technology to streamline manufacturing and bolster their products' durability. They haven't looked back since.

The antimicrobial silver in Fenta ceiling tiles is proven to inhibit the growth of bacteria by up to 99.99 per cent and lasts the lifetime of the product.

Following another major investment in UV technology, Fenta ceiling tiles are now made with 100% UV-cured paints for cleaner air both installed and during manufacture.

The Fenta Ceiling Tile has been given the highest mark for safety – code regulation 1-S – by the New Zealand Building Code Fire Safety Standards.